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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary oxidized oil and allicin (two different dietary sources) as natural antioxidants on the growth performance and meat quality of broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into four dietary groups (50 birds/group). The experimental groups (OO—oxidized oil; OOA—oxidized oil and allicin; OOG—oxidized oil and garlic leaves) differed from the control one by the presence of oxidized oil in their dietary structure (peroxide value 9.07 (OO, OOA and OOG groups) vs. 1.70 (C group) meq active oxygen/kg). The diets given to the experimental groups differed from each other by the presence of allicin (100 mg/kg inclusion rate as extract (OOA) and 0.5% as garlic leaf powder (OOG)). At the end of the experiment, six animals/group were slaughtered, meat samples (breast and thigh) were collected, and nutritional value was established. The results showed that the allicin included in the experimental diet did not influence the proximate composition of breast meat (crude protein, fat, ash, and dry matter). The fatty acid profile was determined for each group of samples; a significant decrease in omega 3 FAs was noticed between the C group and the E groups (3.27% vs. 1.46%, 1.60%, and 1.56%) in breast meat samples, and a corresponding increase was noticed in saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations. Health indices with implications for atheroma and thrombus formation and cholesterol level were negatively affected by the presence of oxidized oil in the experimental diets, but the allicin extract supplement appeared to mitigate its influence. A positive influence of the dietary supplement was noticed on antioxidant capacity and polyphenol concentrations determined in breast and thigh samples under allicin supplement influence. The results of the current study revealed that the use of low oxidized oil in broilers diets did not affect productive performance. The nutritional quality of meat (breast and thigh) was negatively influenced by the presence of oxidized oil, but allicin supplements (extract or garlic leaves) improved lipid quality indices and antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility and biostability of carotenoids, vitamin E isomers, and individual polyphenolic compounds after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of two types of berries (raspberry and blackberry fruits). The results of the polyphenols analysis showed that raspberry fruits contained higher concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and flavonols compared to blackberry fruits, but exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility values for all the studied polyphenol classes. Ellagic acid represented 13.63% and 2.65% of the hydroxybenzoic acids in raspberry and blackberry fruits. The hydroxybenzoic acids exhibited the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of berries, and gallic acid emerged as one of the most bioaccessible phenolic compounds. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids ranged between 15.7 and 17.30% for lutein, 5.52 and 7.56% for astaxanthin, and 7.85 and 9.93% for canthaxanthin, with elevated values being observed in raspberry fruits. Although vitamin E and carotenoids follow a similar path for absorption, the bioaccessibility of vitamin E isomers was higher than that of carotenoids, with γ-tocopherol being the most bioaccessible isomer in both raspberries and blackberries. Knowing the bioaccessibility of food constituents during digestion is crucial, as the potential effectiveness of bioactives for human health largely depends on the bioavailability of these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food industry is intensifying its effort to enrich food composition in various nutrients through animal feeding, but these challenges can be limited by the costly feed resources, water scarcity, and pesticide pollution, making it crucial to explore alternative feedstuffs with fewer requirements. Blackthorns and hawthorns are characterized by their rich phytochemical and antioxidant profiles, suggesting their potential to enhance the performance of ruminants though the supply of bioactive substances. Our study revealed their rich composition of micronutrients; hawthorns showed a remarkable amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (57.23 g FAME/100 g total FAME), particularly omega-3 and omega-6, while blackthorn presented higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, specifically oleic acid (56.99 g FAME/100 g total FAME). In terms of lipo-soluble antioxidants, blackthorn exhibited higher levels of xanthophyll and vitamin E (123.83 mg/kg DM), including its isomers (alpha, gamma, and delta). Concerning the water-soluble antioxidants, hawthorns showed elevated composition of the total content of flavonoids and polyphenols, comparing with blackthorn. Moreover, hawthorns showed a high antioxidant capacity, as assessed through DPPH, ABTS, and TAC analyses. In terms of the scavenging capacity of blackthorn and hawthorn against superoxide radicals, blackthorn had higher radical scavenging potential against superoxide radicals, compared to hawthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of Chlorella vulgaris supplementation in broilers' diet, alone or in combination with vitamin E, on meat quality parameters, nutritional value, and oxidative stability during storage time. An experiment was conducted on 180 COBB 500 broiler chickens (14 days old), assigned into six treatments, following a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. A corn–soybean meal diet was supplemented with three levels of C. vulgaris (0% in group C1, 1% in E1, 2% in E2), two levels of vitamin E (0% in C1, 250 ppm in C2), and a combination of them (1% C. vulgaris + 250 ppm vitamin (E3), 2% C. vulgaris + 250 ppm vitamin (E4)). Dietary incorporation of C. vulgaris, including those supplemented with vitamin E, resulted in a significant increase in meat protein content. DPA and DHA levels increased by 2.01-fold and 1.60-fold in the 2% C. vulgaris + vitamin E group. The PUFA/SFA ratio was increased across all dietary treatments (p < 0.0001). HPI and h/H registered the highest values as a result of 2% C. vulgaris supplementation, being linked with a positive effect in lowering cholesterol levels. Supplementation with 2% C. vulgaris and vitamin E exhibited a 1.45-fold increase in vitamin E concentration in thigh meat compared to the control group, being the highest level registered in thigh meat in this experiment. Metmyoglobin concentrations registered lower values in the thigh meat of the experimental groups, while deoxymyoglobin increased in the same groups when compared to the control group. The inclusion of C. vulgaris (1% and 2%) in combination with vitamin E (250 mg/kg) in broiler diets exhibited the best prevention of lipid oxidation after 7 days of refrigerated storage, defined by the highest efficiency factors assessed in terms of secondary oxidation products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study evaluated the impact of incorporating flax seeds or a flax and mustard seeds' mixture into goats' diets to enhance milk polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The incorporation of mustard seeds also aimed to slow the lipid oxidation process. A three-week feeding trial was conducted on 18 lactating goats, randomly distributed in three groups: control (C), FS (replacing 12% of the oil source with flax seeds), and FMS (replacing a quarter of flax seeds with mustard seeds). Flax seed inclusion improved the quality of milk fat by reducing saturated fatty acid concentration (p = 0.004) and increasing PUFA levels (p = 0.001). Both experimental groups significantly lowered the omega 6/omega 3 fatty acid ratio (p < 0.001). The FMS group showed a significantly higher total vitamin E concentration (p = 0.007). The fat oxidation parameters revealed that after 24 h of storage at room temperature, the p-anisidine value increased for the FS group compared to the C group, while the FSM group showed no significant difference, suggesting that the combined inclusion of flax and mustard seeds may prolong milk storage time by mitigating secondary oxidation products. This highlights the potential benefits of incorporating the studied seeds into goats' diets for improving milk quality and extending its shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to compare the nutrient composition, antioxidant potential, and polyphenol bioaccessibility of the fruit, leaves, and pomace of black chokeberry. Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant activity, and the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the individual phenolic compounds of fruit, leaves, and pomace of black chokeberry were assessed. Results showed that leaves had a higher content of polyphenols (61.06 mg GAE/g dw), flavonoids (8.47 mg QE/g), and tocopherols (1172.20 mg/kg) than fruit (27.99 mg GAE/g dw polyphenols, 5.23 mg QE/g flavonoids, 38.48 mg/kg tocopherols) and pomace (22.94 mg GAE/g dw polyphenols, 1.89 mg QE/g flavonoids and 157.19 mg/kg tocopherols), with superior in vitro antioxidant activity. Chlorogenic acids were the dominant phenolic compounds in black chokeberry undigested samples (2.713 mg/g in fruit, 17.954 mg/g in leaves, and 1.415 mg/g in pomace) but are poorly absorbed (bioaccessibility index in intestinal phase of 28.84% for fruit, 8.81% for leaves, and 31.90% for pomace). Hydroxybenzoic acids were highly stable in leaves and fruit during simulated digestion and had high bioaccessibility. In conclusion, residues from black chokeberry processing are also valuable sources of bioactive compounds, but the pomace had higher polyphenol bioaccessibility than leaves and might be a promising supplement for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cranberries, like other plants from the berry family, are very popular due to their composition rich in bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant activity. The leaves belonging to that species can be considered a cost-effective alternative in the context of reducing antibiotics strategy in animal nutrition. Studies on their potential effects as feed additive are limited in poultry nutrition. The aim of the current study is to assess the effects of inclusion of cranberry leaves in an omega 3 enriched diet of broilers on productive parameters and evaluate the markers of antioxidant defence system. An experiment was conducted on 120 Cobb 500 broiler chickens, housed in an experimental hall with permanent wood shave litter, in boxes of 3 m2. The dietary treatments were based on corn and soybean meal, and the experimental group fed diets supplemented with 1% cranberry leaves (E1) and other with combination of cranberry leaves (1%) and walnut meal (6%) (E2). The results showed that the presence of cranberry leaves in an omega 3 enriched diet affected the final body weight of broilers (C-3140 g; E1-2649 g and E2-2538 g); the average daily gain (C-92.91 g; E1-88.32 g and E2-84.63 g) compared to other two groups. No significant differences were recorded for average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The antioxidant compounds from cranberry leaves structure positively affected the MDA concentrations determined in serum and liver samples (C--0.153 ppm; E1-0.133 ppm for serum samples and C-0.359 ppm; E1-0.319 ppm for liver samples). By inclusion in an omega enriched diet, no significant differences were detected compared to C for serum (E2-0.155 ppm) and almost 10% decreasing values were recorded for MDA values determined in liver samples (0.324 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asian countries and can serve as a spice, food preservative, and coloring agent. Turmeric owes its unique properties and color to curcuminoids, biologically active substances that encompass curcumin, de-methoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin. The purpose of the study was to investigate the nutritional properties of turmeric and curcumin extract, as potential dietary supplements for poultry nutrition. Turmeric was characterized by a content of 7.89 % crude protein, 4.61 % crude fiber, 1.76 % crude fat, and 7.47 % ash. The proximate composition of curcumin extract showed lower values when compared to turmeric. The chromatographic analysis of vitamin E isomers revealed α-tocopherol of 1.97 mg/kg in turmeric vs 8.09 mg/kg in curcumin, γ-tocopherol of 3.01 mg/kg in turmeric vs 10.4 mg/kg in curcumin, and δ-tocopherol of 13.84 mg/kg, while in curcumin was not detected. The antioxidant yellow pigments lutein and zeaxanthin were in higher amounts in curcumin extract, which was also characterized by an increased concentration of total polyphenols (76.50 mg/g GAE). Turmeric had higher levels of flavonoids (47.42 mg/g vs 24.71 mg/g). The outcomes of this study can serve as a foundation for developing innovative food products by using poultry nutrition and harnessing the potential benefits of this ancient spice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the impact of dietary bilberry leaves on the performance, health status, and gut microbiota of broilers reared in both thermoneutral conditions and under heat stress. Sixty Cobb 500 broiler chicks were divided into two groups (C-TN, BL-TN) and reared in thermoneutral conditions for the first trial. For the second trial, two other groups (C-HS and BL-HS) were reared in heat stress (32 °C), with 30 chickens in each group. The experimental diets were supplemented with 1% bilberry leaves compared to the control diets. The broilers fed a diet with bilberry leaves had lower levels of cholesterol compared to the control birds. At the end of the experiment, six broilers per group were slaughtered, and intestinal contents were collected for bacteriological analyses. The results revealed that bilberry leaves increased body weight and average daily feed intake in the BL-TN group compared to the C-HS group. However, the broilers fed a bilberry leaves diet and reared in heat stress had a significantly lower average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain than the C-TN group. Additionally, the number of staphylococci colonies decreased significantly in the group fed with a BL-supplemented diet and reared in TN compared to C-TN, while lactobacilli increased significantly in BL-TN compared to C-TN. In summary, bilberry leaves can be used as a natural supplement in a broiler's diet to regulate serum cholesterol in heat stress and maintain the health of intestinal microflora in thermoneutral conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's food industry, fortifying food products with several nutrients is a priority, and animal nutrition represents a key strategy for achieving this goal. Nevertheless, the scarcity and high costs of conventional feedstuffs lead to investigation of industrial by-products as alternative solutions in livestock nutrition. White grape pomace, a byproduct of the winery industry, is well-known for its rich resveratrol content. Nevertheless, in addition to this, it can present significant quantities of other nutrients and antioxidant compounds, which exert beneficial effects when incorporated into ruminants' nutrition. Our study revealed a remarkable concentration of the white grape pomace nutrients, with important minerals, particularly manganese (106.35 mg/kg). The fatty acids profile showed a high composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (65.05 g/100 g FAME), with a great amount of omega 3 fatty acids (62.66 g/100 g FAME). Concerning the antioxidant compounds, white grape pomace exhibited a concentration of 12.49 mg/g GAE for total polyphenols and 3.27 mg/kg for total flavonoids. Also, our study highlighted its high antioxidant potential, especially assessed through the DPPH radical scavenging assay (74.26 mM eq. Trolox), ABTS radical scavenging assay (75.07 mM eq. Trolox), and total antioxidant capacity (286.26 mM eq. ascorbic acid). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was nutritional evaluation through the phytochemical analysis of blackberry and raspberry leaves, the screening of their biological activity (antioxidant capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation), and the investigation of the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) of blackberry and raspberry leaves on the bioaccessibility of polyphenol subclasses. The concentrations of the analyzed liposoluble antioxidants were higher (p < 0.05) in blackberry leaves compared to raspberry leaves, while a significant (p < 0.05) higher content of water-soluble antioxidants was registered in raspberry leaves (with a total polyphenol content of 26.2 mg GAE/g DW of which flavonoids accounted for 10.6 mg/g DW). Blackberry leaves had the highest antioxidant capacity inhibition of the superoxide radicals (O2•−), while raspberry leaves registered the highest inhibition of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), suggesting a high biological potency in scavenging-free radicals under in vitro systems. The maximum inhibition percentage of lipid peroxidation was obtained for blackberry leaves (24.86% compared to 4.37% in raspberry leaves), suggesting its potential to limit oxidative reactions. Simulated in vitro digestion showed that hydroxybenzoic acids registered the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of leaves, with gallic acid being one of the most bioaccessible phenolics. The outcomes of this investigation reveal that the most significant release of phenolic compounds from blackberry and raspberry leaves occurs either during or after the gastric phase. Knowledge about the bioaccessibility and stability of polyphenol compounds during digestion can provide significant insights into the bioavailability of these molecules and the possible effectiveness of plant metabolites for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of four botanical mixtures (AFC): AFC 1 (containing red corn, pumpkin pulp and marigold), AFC 2 (containing alfalfa meal, pumpkin pulp and marigold), AFC 3 (containing kale, alfalfa meal, marigold and spinach leaves), AFC 4 (containing buckthorn, red corn, pumpkin pulp and marigold), in terms of proximate analysis (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash), amino acid (AA) profile, vitamin E concentration and lutein and zeaxanthin content, in order to determine the potential of AFCs as feed additives in laying hens nutrition. The crude protein content for the analysed botanical mixtures ranged between 9.07-18.18% DM, and crude fiber between 10.41-30.83% DM. The amino acid profile of the mixture AFC 4 revealed a content of limiting essential amino acids required for laying hens: lysine 5.719% CP, methionine 1.058% CP and threonine 4.415% CP. The highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin was found in the mixture AFC 4 (66.659 mg/100 g), which also had the highest amount of vitamin E (640.93 mg/kg). With regard to safety of the botanical mixtures, lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Concentration of lead ranged from 0.28-0.75 µg/g DM and 0.06-0.09 µg/g DM for concentration of cadmium, which was within the legislation of maximal limits of EU regulations. It can be concluded that the botanical mixture AFC 4 had the highest concentration of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E, with an adequate content of essential amino acids. Furthermore, all four botanical mixtures had high amounts of xantophylls and should be tested in laying hens trials in order to establish their effects on lutein and zeaxanthin concentration in egg yolk.

This study aimed to evaluate alfalfa meal's chemical and nutritional composition and effectiveness on broiler chicken thigh meat quality. Alfalfa contains significant content of crude protein and fibre, minerals (iron and zinc), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and antioxidant compounds, especially total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total polyphenols content (TPC). To test its effectiveness on chicken tight meat quality, we developed a trial on 60 Cobb 500 broilers, divided into two groups of 30 animals each and fed during growing-finishing phases (11-42 days) a control diet (C) and an experimental diet (A), in which 5% alfalfa meal was added. At the end of the trial, six animals from each group were selected for slaughter and sampling. The analyses on meat samples revealed that alfalfa significantly affected bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential, such as zinc, vitamin E and TPC, compared with the C samples. The utilisation of 5% alfalfa was also very effective on the fatty acids composition of thigh meat samples in the A group by increasing the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and significantly decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio as well as cholesterol content with 10.41% in experimental samples. Therefore, alfalfa can be a potential alternative to synthetic feed additives in producing healthier chicken meat, with increased content of bioactive compounds and essential fatty acids for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with tomato peels (TP) and rosehip meal (RM) on their phytochemicals transfer to the egg, the antioxidant profile and the markers of lipid peroxidation in stored eggs. The experiment was conducted on 42-week-old TETRA SL laying hens, which were assigned to three dietary treatments with 30 birds each: the Control group (CON) received a corn-soybean diet containing 6% flaxseed meal without any by-product addition. Groups TP and RM received Diet CON with additionally 2% TP and 2% RM, respectively. Average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and laying percentage were not significantly changed by the dietary treatments. Compared to the other groups, the inclusion of dietary TP led to a significant increase in egg weight (p < 0.05) and vitamin E content in eggs (p < 0.05). The dietary inclusion of RM generated a higher vitamin A content in eggs compared to Groups CON and TP (p < 0.10). After 40 d of storage, in Groups CON, TP and RM the vitamin E contents of eggs deceased by 10.1%, 14.2% and 13.3%, respectively, whereas the reduction of the lutein and zeaxanthin concentration in eggs was more pronounced (by 24.8%, 21.8% and 25.5%, respectively). For the most primary as well as for secondary oxidation products, storage time had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the degradation process of the eggs. After 40 d of storage, the most distinct reduction in the formation rate of secondary oxidation products was observed in Group RM (by more than 30%), while the reduction for Group TP amounted from 15% to 25%, when compared with Group CON. Therefore, the results of the present study showed a significantly positive effect of RM in retarding the lipid peroxidation process during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vivo feeding trial was conducted on 6 weeks with 126 Tetra SL laying hens, 56-week old, assigned to 3 groups. The layers were housed in an experimental hall with controlled microclimate, in three-tier digestibility cages (2 layers per cage) which allowed the daily recording of the feed intake and excreta. All hens received a conventional compound feed (C), based on corn and soybean meal, which contained 2750 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 17.50% crude protein. Each experimental group had as supplement one fat and one antioxidant vegetal source, rapeseed meal and grapeseed meal (RGM) respectively flaxseed meal and buckthorn meal (FBM). The balance study was conducted for 5 days, on the last experimental week. During this period, average weights from each cage (6 samples per group) of feed and excreta were recorded, collected and sampled for: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extractives (EE), crude fibre (CF) ash and amino acids determinations from feeds. The layers from FBM group had significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of ingested, excreted and digested amount of CP and the lowest (P≤0.05) EE and CF absorption coefficient. Significantly higher (P<0.05) values for ingested, excreted, digested and absorption coefficient of CF nutrient, was registered for RGM group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four plants have been characterized physico-chemical as vegetal phytoadditives (blueberry leaves, walnut leaves, marigold and buckthorn meal) in order to determine their nutritional value for inclusion in laying hens diets as possible alternatives to the use of antibiotics in poultry feed. Chemical determinations revealed a variable protein content ranging between 6.76% (blueberry leaves) and 14.14% (buckthorn meal). Marigolds had significantly higher iron content (1262.54 ppm) and blueberry leaves showed high concentrations of manganese (1410.10 ppm) and zinc (40.37 ppm). The walnut leaves were characterized by high concentrations of: calcium (2.01%), lutein + zeaxanthin (264.10 ppm), total polyphenols (53.94 mg EAG/g) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially a-linolenic acid (13.45 g/100 g total fatty acids). The studied phytoadditives will be evaluated in a digestibility trial for their nutritional assessment in laying hens diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuts meal obtained from oil extraction is among the plant by-products of interest as feed ingredients, due to their high feeding value. The chemical determinations have shown that this batch of nut meal had a high protein content (29.13%), with 11.49 MJ/kg metabolisable energy, also being a natural source of antioxidants (112.536 mM Trolox/g antioxidant capacity). From the total content of crude fat (15.15%) of the nut meal, 70.79% are polyunsaturated fatty acids. An experiment was conducted for 4 weeks on 80 Lohmann Brown layers (75 weeks), assigned to two groups (C and E) according to their body weight. The birds were housed in an experimental hall with controlled micro climate and 16 h light regimen. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, laying percentage and egg weight were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of the trial, 18 eggs were collected from each group, and egg quality was determined. The laying percentage was significantly (p=0.05) higher in group E (83.66±8.36%), (nut meal treatment), than in group C (77.58±9.25%). Omega 3 fatty acids concentration in the yolk of the eggs from group E (2.44 g/100g total fatty acids) was significantly (p=0.05) higher than in group C (1.48 g/100g total fatty acids). The antioxidant capacity in the yolk was higher (p=0.05) in group E (88.404 mM Trolox/g) than in group C (79.171 mM Trolox/g), while the pH was higher (p=0.05) in group C (6.46) than in group E (6.31). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipid matrix of the egg is a food source in which lutein and zeaxanthin have a higher bioavailability than from the vegetal sources. Within this context, we conducted a 6-week trial on 19,500 TETRA layers, which aimed to enhance the lutein concentration in the yolk by feeding natural (corn gluten and alfalfa) and commercial sources of lutein to the layers. The layers were assigned to 3 groups (C, E1 and E2) and reared in modernized production halls. The basal diet was similar for all three groups (17.96% CP and 2724.31 kcal ME /kg). Compared to the diet for group C, the diet formulation for group E1 also included 5% alfalfa hay and 5% corn gluten. The diet formulation for group E2 included 25% commercial lutein powder (10%). Every day during the first week and every 2 days, afterwards, eggs were sampled and assayed for lutein concentration in the fresh yolk. Lutein concentration in the yolk increased during the experiment only in the yolk of the eggs from the experimental groups: 2.09 times (E1) and 2.89 times (E2). The higher lutein concentration in the yolk from the experimental groups compared to groups C was obvious from the second day of experiment: 12,777ppm (C), 17,636 ppm (E1) and 21,487 ppm (E2). No increase was determined in group C. There was a very high correlation (R²=0.9226) between lutein concentration in the compound feed and its concentration in the yolk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) was used in the diets for layers within a 6-week experiment of 90 Lohmann Brown layers (48 weeks of age), assigned to 3 groups (C, E1, E2). The experimental diets differed from the cornsoybean meal control (C) diet (16.23% crude protein, 2686.2 ME), by the inclusion of 1% (E1) and 2% (E2) fenugreek seeds. The chemical analysis of the fenugreek seeds to determine the concentration of polyphenols and the chelating capacity of the alcoholic extract, the activity of DPPH annihilation and Fe III ions reduction, showed that the fenugreek seeds have an antioxidant capacity almost the same as the mint and the wormwood. During the progress of the experiment, every 2 weeks, we collected 18 eggs from each group, which we divided in 6 samples (3 eggs per sample) of yolk, egg white and egg shell. These samples were assayed for dry matter, protein, amino acids, fat and ash in the egg white; dry matter, fat, fatty acids and ash in the yolk; dry matter, ash and calcium in the egg shell. The analytical results showed that in the control group, the linolenic acid concentration from the yolk (0.632±0.02) was significantly (P=0.05) lower than in E1 (0.67±0.028) and E2 group, respectively (0.722±0.069). The amino acids concentration from the egg white was not different among the groups, which is normal since the diets had the same protein level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted on 114 laying hens in order to determine the amino acid apparent digestibility coefficients from diets supplemented with camelina meal, linseed meal and fenugreek seeds. The hens were assigned to 3 groups (C, E1, E2) and housed in metabolic cages (2 hens / cage, 38 hens / group). The control group received a conventional diet for laying hens with the age of 59 weeks. The experimental diets were enriched in PUFA by using 5% linseed meal and 2 % camelina meal (E1); 3% linseed meal, 3 % camelina meal and 1 % fenugreek seed (E2). During the final week of the experiment (for 5 days), the ingesta, the feed leftovers and the droppings were daily recorded with accuracy for each cage, in order to perform the amino acid balance. The digestibility coefficients of the dietary essential amino acids decreased significantly when compared with the control: for lysine 86.85 ± 2.74 % in C, 83.76 ± 3.83 % in E1, 81.34 ± 2.29% in E2; for methionine 87.30 ± 1.43 % in C, 84.48 ± 2.71 in E1, 80.83 ± 1.51% in E2; for cystine 87.30 ± 1.43 in C, 86.66 ± 2.11 % in E1, 86.13 % for E2. The amino acid analysis of laying hen eggs revealed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) of lysine, methionine and cystine in the albumen from E2, and a significant decrease (P≤0.05) of methionine in the yolk from E2, when compared with the control. This fact is correlated with the amino acid digestibility coefficients. The results highlight the decreasing effects of laying hens diets supplemented with oily byproducts on amino acid digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unconventional feed plants as protein sources for laying hens diet have been considered, aiming to minimize the production costs. Knowing the amino acid composition of feed plants is of great importance for achieving the nutritional requirements of laying hens. The aim of this study was to assess the amino acid profile of some unconventional feed plants for laying hens: camelina seeds and meal (rich in n-3 fatty acids), fenugreek seeds (antioxidant properties), linseed and linseed meal (natural source of n-3 fatty acids), mulberry leaves (valorisation of the large amounts of leaves not used because of the decreasing silkworm production). These feed plants were previously studied in laying hens trials for their n-3 fatty acids content (camelina seed and meal; linseed, linseed meal) and to lower the egg cholesterol content (fenugreek seed and mulberry leaves). The studied feed plants had a protein concentration between 19% (mulberry leaves) and 28.41% (camelina meal). The analysis of the essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine) showed that fenugreek had the highest concentration of lysine (1.79%), followed by camelina meal (1.49%), mulberry leaves (1.37%), camelina seeds (1.26%), linseed (0.95%), linseed meal (0.8%). Camelina meal had the highest concentration of sulphur amino acids: 1.08% methionine and 0.72% cystine. Amino acid assessment in unconventional feedstuffs is important for the formulation of layer diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to use antioxidants in animal diet formulations, particularly natural antioxidants, whose role is to block oxidation by their reaction with the free radicals, appeared particularly because of the use of high polyunsaturated fatty acids dietary ingredients, with the purpose to obtain animal products rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to human health. Some of the sources rich in polyphenols are the winery by-products: grape marc, grape seeds and peels. The abundant bioactive polyphenols from these by-products are of real interest for researchers and for the feed industry companies. The purpose of our work was to determine the basal nutrients and the antioxidant capacity of the winery by-products: dry grape marc, seed-less grape marc and grape seeds cakes, obtained from a Romanian winery in order to evaluate the potential of these by-products to be used as feed additives. We determined in the laboratory the concentration of dry matter, protein, amino acids, fat, fatty acids, fibre, ash and minerals, as indicators of the feeding value, as well as the concentration of polyphenols a and the antioxidant capacity, using the proper methodologies according to the acting standards. the dry matter concentration ranged between 80.37% in the dry grape mark with seeds and 88.44% in the grape seeds cakes, wile the highest protein concentration (12,64%) was determined in the dry grape mark with seeds. The lysine concentration ranged between 0.421% (grape seeds cakes) and 0.544% (dry grape mark with seeds), while methionine concentration ranged between 0.09% (dry grape mark with seeds) and 0.1% (grape seeds cakes). The highest concentration of linolenic acid (C18:3n3) was determined in the dry grape mark with seeds (6.43 g/100 g fat). The antioxidant capacity determined in the grape seeds cakes (6.24 mM trolox equivalent/g sample) was lower than in the dry grape mark with seeds (11.21 mM trolox equivalent/g sample). These results show that the dry grape mark with seeds or without seeds, or the grape seeds cakes, are potential natural feed additives with antioxidant properties and good feeding value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Finding natural, handy and efficient nutritional solutions to prevent and mitigate negative effects caused by environmental heat stress and to be applied to large-scale laying hen industry., Research Design: A 3-weeks trial was conducted on 128 laying hens TETRA-SL LL (50 weeks of age) housed in 8 cages/group, 4 laying hens/cage, 32 laying hens/group, under heat stress conditions (34±1°C). The basal diet on corn and soybean meal was formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenic. Compared to Control group diet (C), experimental groups E1 included 1% zinc-enriched yeast; E2 included 2% parsley and E3 included 1% zinc-enriched yeast combined with 2% parsley to minimize the heat stress effects., Methods: The parsley and the zinc-enriched yeast were analysed for their chemical composition, total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, minerals, vitamin E and incorporated into the ration structure. Production parameters, egg quality, biochemical and haematological profiles of blood samples were analysed during the trial., Results: A statistically significant ( p < 0.05) average egg weight was noticed on E2 and E3 compared to Control group, and also during the 1st week compared to the 2nd and the 3rd experimental weeks. Average daily feed intake values were highly significant ( p < 0.001) on E3 group compared to C, E1, E2, and on the 2nd week compared to the 3rd experimental week ( p < 0.021). Feed conversion rate was highly significant (p < 0.001) during the 2nd and the 3rd experimental weeks compared to the 1st week. The average daily egg production was highly significant ( p < 0.001) within 1st week compared to the 2nd and 3rd weeks. A highly significant ( p < 0.001) yolk coloration was noticed on E2 and E3 groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) to all experimental groups compared to Control group during the 14th and 28th days of storage., Conclusion: These findings suggest that the two ingredients minimized the heat stress effects on production performance parameters with a demonstrated antioxidant capacity role by delaying the lipid peroxidation during different storage time periods., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Cornescu, Panaite, Untea, Varzaru, Saracila, Dumitru, Vlaicu and Gavris.)